If the ovaries produce too much androgen (male hormones such as
testosterone) a woman may develop male characteristics. This
ovarian imbalance can be caused by tumors in the ovaries or adrenal
glands, or polycystic ovarian disease. Virilization may include
growth of excess body and facial hair, amenorrhea (loss of
menstrual period) and changes in body contour.
Review Date: 12/23/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
